The short answer: Windows Alt codes only work when you type the number on the numeric keypad with Num Lock on. The number row across the top of your keyboard won’t trigger them — and neither will a laptop that has no numpad at all.
If your laptop has no numpad, you can’t use Alt codes the normal way. But the fixes below — Word’s Alt + X, the on-screen keyboard, or simply copying the symbol — get you the character in seconds.
Skip the codes entirely: grab any symbol above, or look up its exact code in the Alt Code Finder.
The common causes (and the quick fix)
| Why it’s failing | Fix |
|---|---|
| Typing on the top number row | Use the numeric keypad instead |
| Num Lock is off | Turn Num Lock on |
| Laptop has no numpad | Use Alt + X in Word, the on-screen keyboard, or copy |
| Missing the leading zero | Use the Alt + 0NNN form (e.g. 0151, not 151) |
| Code is above 255 | Use Word’s Alt + X or copy — it’s more reliable |
| App doesn’t support Alt codes | Use Alt + X, Insert Special Characters, or copy |
| Remote Desktop, a VM, or a full-screen game | Alt codes often break here — copy the symbol instead |
1. Check Num Lock and use the right keys
Alt codes are read only from the numeric keypad — the separate block of number keys on the right of a full-size keyboard.
- Press Num Lock so its light is on.
- Hold Alt.
- Type the code on the numpad (not the top row).
- Release Alt.
If the top-row numbers are all you have, Windows ignores them for Alt codes — which is exactly why laptops struggle. Keep reading.
2. No numeric keypad? Use one of these
Most laptops drop the numpad, so the standard Alt-code method simply can’t work. Pick whichever is easiest:
- Word’s Alt + X (best for any symbol). Type the hex code, then press Alt + X. Example: type 2014 then Alt + X to get an em dash (—). This works for any Unicode character, including ones with no Alt code at all. Works in Word and Outlook.
- On-screen keyboard. Press Win + Ctrl + O (or run
osk.exe). Click Options, turn on the numeric keypad, enable Num Lock there, then hold your physical Alt key and click the on-screen numpad numbers. - Hidden numpad. Some laptops map a numpad onto the right-hand letter keys (often 7 8 9 / U I O / J K L), toggled with Fn + NumLk. Check for tiny numbers printed on those keys.
- Symbol & emoji panel. Press Win + . (period) for a searchable panel of emoji and symbols — no codes needed (full guide).
- Just copy it. The quickest path of all: grab the character from our copy & paste tool or look up its code in the Alt Code Finder.
3. Getting the code right
Two things trip people up:
- The leading zero matters. The reliable modern form is Alt + 0NNN (for example Alt + 0151 for —), which uses the standard Windows character set. Dropping the zero (Alt + 151) calls an older code page and can give a different character. To make it concrete: Alt + 0151 gives an em dash (—), while Alt + 151 gives ù — same number, different table.
- Codes above 255 behave differently. Symbols like ₽, ✓ or → live beyond the old 0–255 range. Decimal codes for them (like Alt + 8734 for ∞) work only in some Unicode-aware apps and fail in most others, so they’re unreliable. For these, use Word’s Alt + X (hex) or simply copy the symbol.
4. It works in Word but nowhere else
Alt codes are most reliable in desktop apps like Word. But some programs — and many browsers, plus Google Docs — handle them inconsistently. They also frequently break inside Remote Desktop sessions, virtual machines, and full-screen games, because those environments intercept the keystrokes before Windows can assemble the code.
In those cases, use the app’s own tool: Insert → Special characters in Google Docs, Win + . anywhere in Windows, or copy the symbol from our tools.
5. On a Mac? Alt codes don’t apply
Windows Alt codes are a Windows-only feature. On a Mac, hold Option (⌥) for symbol shortcuts, or open the Character Viewer (Control + Command + Space) to search and insert any character. See our guide to the Mac symbol keyboard.
Advanced: type Unicode hex directly (optional)
If you often need characters above 255 and don’t want to open Word, Windows has a hidden hex-input mode. Add a string value EnableHexNumpad = 1 under HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Input Method, reboot, then hold Alt, press + on the numpad, and type the hex code. This is a registry edit, so back up the registry first — and it still needs a numpad, so for most people copying the symbol is faster.
Quick fixes for the symbols people ask about
- Em dash (—): Alt + 0151, or 2014 then Alt + X (how to type an em dash).
- Degree (°): Alt + 0176, or copy it.
- Bullet (•): Alt + 0149.
- Copyright (©): Alt + 0169.
Troubleshooting
- Num Lock is on but nothing happens. Make sure you’re using the numpad, not the top row. On some laptops Num Lock is combined with another key (Fn + NumLk). Sticky Keys or a stuck Alt can also interfere — toggle them off in Settings.
- The wrong character appears. You’re probably missing the leading zero, or typing on the top row. Use the Alt + 0NNN form on the numpad.
- An external keyboard’s numpad won’t work. Re-seat it, and check that its own Num Lock is on (laptops and external keyboards track Num Lock separately).
- It broke after connecting to a work desktop. Remote Desktop and VDI sessions often swallow Alt codes. Copy the symbol instead, or type it locally and paste it in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don’t Alt codes work on my laptop?
Most laptops have no numeric keypad, and Alt codes only work from the numpad with Num Lock on. Use Word’s Alt + X method, the on-screen keyboard, or copy the symbol instead.
How do I use Alt codes without a number pad?
Type the hex code in Word and press Alt + X, or open the on-screen keyboard with Win + Ctrl + O, turn on its numeric keypad, and click the numbers while holding Alt. You can also just copy the symbol.
Do Alt codes work in Google Docs and browsers?
Often not reliably. In Google Docs use Insert → Special characters. In Windows, press Win + . (period) for the symbol panel, or copy the character from a symbol tool.
What is the difference between Alt+0151 and Alt+151?
The Alt + 0NNN form uses the standard Windows character set and is the reliable one. Dropping the leading zero calls an older code page and can produce a different character.
Why do I get the wrong character with an Alt code?
Usually because you typed on the top number row instead of the numeric keypad, Num Lock was off, or you left out the leading zero. Use the Alt + 0NNN form on the numpad.
How do I turn on the numeric keypad on a laptop?
Some laptops have a hidden numeric keypad printed on the right-hand letter keys. Press Fn + NumLk (or the equivalent key combination for your laptop) to enable it. If your laptop does not have a built-in numeric keypad, use the On-Screen Keyboard or copy and paste the symbol instead.
Why do Alt codes stop working in Remote Desktop or a VM?
Remote Desktop sessions and virtual machines may intercept keyboard input before Windows can process the Alt code. In these cases, type the symbol on your local computer and paste it into the remote session, or copy it from a symbol tool.
Recap
Alt codes need the numeric keypad + Num Lock. No numpad? The fastest, most reliable fix is Word’s Alt + X (hex) or simply copying the symbol from our tools — and that works for every character, even the ones with no Alt code.
Written by Igor R. Tested on Windows 11. Last updated June 2026. Character codes follow the Unicode Standard.